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Ramsay among Draft picks inked by Astros

Ramsay among Draft picks inked by Astros

MLB.com weighs in on the Astros' selections in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft

By Adam Berry
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MLB.com |

The Astros signed four of their picks from this weekend's First-Year Player Draft, including seventh-round selection James Ramsay.

Houston announced on Tuesday the signings of Ramsay, an outfielder from the University of South Florida, along with right-hander Kyle Westwood (13th round), left-hander Sebastian Kessay (22nd round) and catcher Brett Booth (34th round). Terms of their contracts were not disclosed.

Ramsay and Westwood were assigned to short-season Class A Tri-City. Kessay will report to Houston's Rookie-level Greeneville club, and Booth will join the Gulf Coast League Astros.

Ramsay, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound center fielder, was a two-time All Big East player at South Florida and led his club this spring in batting average, hits, slugging percentage and total bases. He was signed by Astros' South Florida area scout John Martin.

"James is a tough out and has the ingredients we look for in a top-of-the-order type hitter," Astros director of amateur scouting Mike Elias said. "He has a patient eye, speed and a left-handed bat to go with his premium defense in center field. Our scouts have been excited by his play since high school and we look forward to seeing him wear out opposing pitchers as he advances through our system."

Westwood, the 377th overall pick, is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander drafted out of the University of North Florida. Kessay, the 647th overall selection, joins the Astros from Scottsdale Community College, and Booth, drafted 1,007th overall, spent his spring season at the University of Alabama.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.